Umar Akmal
Another day and another predictable match. The 6th match of the ICC World Cup 2011 was no shocker not even to Kenya. This group A match between Pakistan and Kenya was as predictable as Ricky Ponting’s behaviour.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first; they ultimately ended up making 317 runs for their side.
The openers did less than nothing to make the score board tick, Mohammad Hafeez made 9 runs of 20 balls and his wicket was claimed by Elijah Otieno. Second opener Ahmed Shehzad made 1 run of 18 balls, his wicket was taken by Thomas Odoyo who was the best bowler in the Kenyan side, and he took 3 wickets in total that of Umar Akmal who made the most important runs of the day, 71 runs of 52 balls, he also took the wicket of the captain Shahid Afridi who just managed to make 7 runs of 4 balls.
Kamran Akmal made a crucial score of 55 runs of 67 balls before his wicket was taken by Ngoche, Younis Khan along side built a steady partnership and contributed 50 runs of 67 balls for his side, his wicket was claimed by Steve Tikolo.
Misbah-ul-Haq made the second best contribution of the day, he made 65 runs of 69 balls, and his wicket was taken by Kamande.
Abdul Razzaq made 8 runs and Abdur Rehman made 5 runs, they both remained not out at the end of the Pakistan innings.
Kenya did not help matters as they beat the record of maximum extras in this match, they gave away 47 extras.
Kenya had to chase down 318 runs in 6.34 runs per over, a task we all know they wouldn’t be able to manage.
The player of the match ended up being the captain himself, he might not have done anything with the bat but he more than made up for it in his bowling. Shahid Afridi took 5 wickets thereby cleaning out half the Kenyan side, his wickets were of Obuya who made the most runs in the Kenyan side i.e. 47 runs of 58 balls, Steve Tikolo who ended up making only 13 runs, Tanmay Mishra made 6 runs of 16 balls, Captain Kamande made only 2 runs of 3 balls and Odoyo who got out on a duck.
Afridi took out most of the middle order along with the tail Enders. Umar Gul took two important wickets that of opening batsman Maurice Ouma who made just 16 runs of 37 balls and tail ender Shem Ngoche who got out on a duck as well, in total the Kenyan side had 4 ducks.
Mohammad Hafeez took one wicket that of Rakep Patel who again got out on a duck.
A pathetic and sad performance from Kenya who made just 112 runs, what more is there to be said about their feat?
The man of the match went to Umar Akmal 71 runs of 52 balls.
Tags: ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Kenya, Pakistan, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, World Cup
